Orkney Ancient Tombs & Coastal Heritage Tour

Brough of Deerness and the Gloup

The Brough is a small sea stack accessible historically via a narrow land bridge that has since eroded away, leaving only a precarious path today. Archaeological evidence shows the presence of an early timber chapel dating back to the Viking Age, likely built before or around the late 10th century. An Anglo-Saxon coin (minted between 959–975 AD) was found beneath the subsequent stone chapel, marking it as one of the earliest Christian sites in the North Atlantic. Pictish Layers & Broader Significance

Underlying midden deposits, radiocarbon-dated to the 6th–7th centuries AD, indicate Pictish use of the site long before Norse influence.

The evolving architecture and artifacts suggest the site functioned not merely as a religious retreat, but possibly as a Viking chieftain’s stronghold, blending spiritual and secular power. The Brough of Deerness is a fascinating archaeological site that weaves together threads of Pictish origins, early Norse Christian worship, and medieval settlement dynamics. From a humble timber chapel to a fortified Norse enclave, it later became a revered pilgrimage site and endured through the centuries—bearing the scars of both devotion and wartime use.

The Gloup

The Gloup is a collapsed sea cave located within the Mull Head Nature Reserve on the Deerness peninsula of Mainland, Orkney. The name comes from the Old Norse word gluppa, meaning a chasm—quite fitting, given its dramatic appearance. In Scots, the term gloup (or gloop/glupe) refers specifically to a deep chasm or pit just inland from a cliff-edge, with a marine connection.

The Gloup forms a natural chasm separated from the open sea by a land bridge approximately 80 metres wide (about 80 yards). It stretches roughly 40 metres long and plunges 25 metres deep (some sources note up to 30 metres). Located on the east coast of the Deerness peninsula, in the parish of St Andrews and Deerness, southeast of Kirkwall. Access is easy from a car park at the road’s end; a short walk brings you to viewing platforms perched above the dramatic chasm The Gloup is an excellent example of coastal erosion at work—originally a sea cave, its roof collapsed, creating the open sink-like feature seen today. It offers a glimpse into Orkney’s evolving coastline — you’ll see waves crashing powerfully into the chasm, sometimes creating spectacular waterspouts. The site’s vertical walls and echoing sounds make it a striking natural landmark. The surrounding reserve spans over 200 acres of coastal grassland, heath, and sea cliffs, making it a haven for walkers and nature-lovers.

The Gloup is part of a larger coastal trail at Mull Head Nature Reserve, which features walking routes, birdwatching opportunities, and scenic landscapes. The Brough of Deerness, a Norse-era chapel and settlement ruin, lies further along the coast and makes for a compelling combined visit. Walks often include stops like the Covenanters Memorial, adding historical context to the stunning views.

Deerness distillery: (info, it’s on the website, tourist can stop there for Gin and whisky tasting or Lunch)

Italian Chapel & Churchill Barriers: Discover the moving story of Italian prisoners of war who built the Italian Chapel during World War II, then see the Churchill Barriers—massive causeways constructed to protect the Royal Navy fleet at Scapa Flow and now linking the southern Orkney islands.

Scapa Flow: Delve into the history of Scapa Flow, one of the most important naval bases during both World Wars.

Fossils’ Heritage centre: Explore Orkney’s natural and cultural history through fascinating fossil displays, local artefacts, and insights into island life, with a café and gift shop offering locally made produce and souvenirs.

Tomb of Eagles

This Neolithic chambered tomb was accidentally discovered in 1958 by local farmer Ronnie (Ronald) Simison while digging for flagstones. He initially conducted a modest excavation, uncovering skulls and bones before refilling the site. A comprehensive excavation began in 1976, led by archaeologist John Hedges who documented the site’s structure and contents and helped cement its popular name via his book Tomb of the Eagles: Death and Life in a Stone Age Tribe. The tomb features a low entrance tunnel approximately 3 m long, leading to a main chamber with a stalled design—divided by upright slabs—and containing side cells, blending two architectural traditions: the local Orkney-Cromarty stalled tomb style and wider passage grave elements.

Excavations revealed an extraordinary assemblage: roughly 16,000 human bone fragments from at least 324 individuals (some sources report up to 338), but no intact skeletons. Strikingly, bones and talons of white-tailed sea eagles were intermingled among the human remains. Initial theories suggested these were foundation offerings or totemic items, but radiocarbon dating shows the eagles died 1,000 years after the tomb was built, indicating later intrusions during its long use. Built around 3150 BC, the tomb likely took up to a century to construct—an impressive feat given the presumed rudimentary tools of the era. Radiocarbon dating indicates it was in regular use for about 800 years, with burials continuing until around 1600 BC. Osteological analysis reveals that those interred lived vigorous lives but also endured injuries and diseases typical of their time; notably, around 20% of examined skulls exhibit trauma possibly caused by weapons like wooden clubs or stone axes.

The Tomb of the Eagles is unmatched in Orkney and arguably Britain and Ireland for the volume of burials, architectural complexity, and preservation of materials. Dating and DNA efforts may illuminate kinship, origins, and burial practices of Neolithic communities. Uniquely combining two tomb styles, it reflects diverse cultural influences and potentially sophisticated social structures.

Aspect	Details
Location	Cliff edge at Isbister, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
Discovery	1958 by farmer Ronnie Simison
Excavation	Full-scale by John Hedges starting 1976
Era	Built c. 3150 BC; used for 800 years until c. 1600 BC
Structure	3 m entrance tunnel, main stalled chamber, side cells
Human Remains	16,000 fragments, from 324–338 individuals, no full skeletons
Eagle Bones	White-tailed sea eagle remains added 1,000 years after construction
Cause of Death Evidence	20% skulls show violent trauma
Closure	2020 due to pandemic
Artifacts	Now on display at Orkney Museum

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Tour Details

Tour Information

Duration: 5.5 hours, 6.5 hours & 8 hours
Group Size: Minimum 4 pax
Price: From £160 per person including entry tickets.
Departure: Kirkwall, with convenient pick-up and drop-off from cruise and ferry terminals
Experience Type: Private guided tour with local experts in Orkney’s archaeology and culture

Tomb of Otters

Here’s a visual glimpse into the Tomb of the Otters, also known as the Banks Chambered Tomb, a remarkable—and chilling—Neolithic burial site in Orkney. The Tomb of the Otters was accidentally uncovered in September 2010 by landowner Hamish Mowatt, who spotted a human skull with a dropped camera through a gap in the tomb’s capstones. Situated on South Ronaldsay, it’s the first largely intact Neolithic tomb discovered in Orkney in decades. The tomb is carved directly from solid sandstone bedrock, a distinctive feature in Orkney.

Its central passage measures approximately 4 meters long and 0.75 meters wide, aligned east-west, with a north-facing entrance. It includes up to five or six interconnected chambers or cells: an east cell, west (central), one north, and two southern cells. Radiocarbon dating of two human leg bones—discovered in 2012—indicates burial activity spanning centuries: one bone dates to 3344 BC, the other to 3021 BC. Researchers are performing ancient DNA analysis via the University of Copenhagen; these materials are among the most important Neolithic human samples studied in the UK. The site occasionally allowed guided visits, though much of the tomb remains unexcavated, with estimates suggesting up to 10,000 human bones may be hidden in the untouched chambers. The tomb offers rare insights into Neolithic burials, continuity of use over centuries, and ritual practices in Orkney. It stands in contrast—and proximity—to the famed Tomb of the Eagles, another Stone Age site where eagle bones were later added as ritual deposits.

The Tomb of the Eagles stands as a powerful portal to Neolithic life in Orkney—telling stories of death, ritual, architectural prowess, and ongoing community connection across millennia. If you’re curious, we can explore how this site compares to others in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney or delve deeper into burial customs and DNA findings. Let me know!

Murray Arms pup, for sea food and taste of local beer, whisky, Gin and some Lunch all on the website.